Paula, my wife, and I have made a total of twenty trips to Nicaragua with BWCM and Dr. Donald and Pam Gillette. Like most of you that are reading this, you know that if we go, as we are told “to go” with an open mind and heart we will be changed. You also know the needs that exist in Nicaragua. . . food, water, clothing, shelter and the list goes on, not to mention the need to “proclaim the Gospel.” As you well know, Donald has no qualms about asking for support for the works of the ministry, but he is hesitant to ask for support for Pam and himself. I am asking on their behalf, that we stay behind this team and their mission. About two years ago they both left their secular jobs to devote their full efforts to this ministry. This of course was a leap of faith. With the ever increasing cost of everything the Gillettes need some monthly support. Since opening Casa de Shelly in January 2005 I estimate that at least two thousand people have stayed and served at the Casa. If just ten percent of these folk could and/or would commit to just twenty dollars ($20.00) a month that would relieve the burden from the Gillettes on how to continue and let them focus on the work at hand. In closing I would like to quote James from the Bible (I love James) James 2:15-16 NRSV “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?”. So if we say to Donald and Pam “good work, keep it up” but don’t offer, give our support, ‘what good is it’.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please give it your prayerful consideration.
Kim T. Edwards
Bethany United Methodist Church
West Jefferson, North Carolina
